2011 Vauxhall VXR8: Vauxhall at Goodwood Festival of Speed

Vauxhall are out in force at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in a few weeks with a 1910 Vauxhall C10 ‘Prince Henry’, the 2011 Vauxhall VXR8 and the Vauxhall Ampera.

With the Goodwood Festival of Speed just a few weeks away, we’re going to get a fair few car makers letting us know what goodies they’re taking to the show. Today it’s the turn of Vauxhall.

Probably the most interesting is the first appearence of the 2011 Vauxhall VXR8 in the Goodwood First Glance/Supercar Group. In truth this isn’t actually a Vauxhall VXR8 but its Holden sibling – to all intents and purposes the same car but with different badges. And you can be pretty sure that if Vauxhall are bringing it to Goodwood the Vauxhall version isn’t far behind.

The VXR8 is a glorious throwback to hairy-chested, saloon car blasters of the past. No real pretensions – although the new Holden does get Magnetic Ride Control and Launch Control – just a big 6.2 litre V8 lump with over 400bhp and a sub 5 second 0-60mph. And at a bargain basement £40k.

Vauxhall are also bringing along their latest toy – the Vauxhall Ampera – and an oldie from the past in the shape of the 1910 Vauxhall C10 ‘Prince Henry’, a car acknowledged as Britain’s first true sports car which will be having a run up Goodwood’s hillclimb over the weekend.

Vauxhall are still insisting on calling the Ampera a ‘constant electric drive’ car, which technically it is. But its electric motor is driven by batteries charged by an internal combustion engine. Still, if we’re daft enough to chase the rainbow of electric cars for all, at least the range extender way is a far more sensible solution.